Wasabi Growing Conditions

Since it is quite intolerant of direct sunlight, wasabi is typically grown under shade cloth or beneath a natural forest canopy. Wasabia japonica grows in northern Japan, parts of China, Taiwan, Korea and New Zealand.

Can wasabi be grown in the US?

Wasabi can and does grow all over the United States! What you need to watch out for is weather that is too either too hot or too cold. If the weather gets over 80 degrees or under 32 degrees - simply bring your pots inside and keep them out of direct sunlight.

Is wasabi difficult to grow?

The reason is simple: wasabi is deemed by most experts to be the most difficult plant in the world to grow commercially.

Why is wasabi the hardest plant to grow?

Growing wasabi plants is frankly difficult because their growing needs are so specific. Wasabi requires shady conditions, uniformly moist but not wet soil, and temperatures between 45 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit without a lot of temperature swings.

Can I grow wasabi in my backyard?

Wasabi is native to areas that have hot, humid summers and dry, cool winters. Wasabi may also be planted in containers that are move inside or outside depending on weather conditions. If planting in a container, use a 6- inch pot filled with organic rich potting mix and then transplant after 1 year to a 12- inch pot.

Is wasabi expensive to grow?

As the plant is only native to Japan, wasabi is one of the most expensive crops in the world. This is why a lot of people outside of Japan may have never actually tasted real wasabi before. Real wasabi is incredibly expensive because wasabi plants are notoriously difficult to grow and require very specific conditions.

How much is wasabi worth per acre?

It's a fair price for a crop that costs $700,000 per acre; a crop whose demand also far outstrips supply. Wasabi is also grown in China, Taiwan, New Zealand, Australia, and a handful of farms across North America.

Can wasabi survive winter?

These precious rhizomes are swollen stems, not roots, and they hold the vital goodness that will carry the plant through winter and see it re-grow with vigour the following spring. Wasabi will survive temperatures down to –5ºC.

Is selling wasabi profitable?

But with success comes profit: A pound of wasabi fetches about $70; restaurants pay suppliers as much as twice that. But as for your experience with wasabi in a restaurant, well, you probably haven't had one.

What's the hardest plant to grow in the world?

Wasabi: the hardest plant to grow in the world

• Cultivation: it's grown unlike any other plant.
• Access: one wasabi farmer said it took 6 years simply to get access to viable seeds.
• Temperment: too much humidity or the wrong nutrient composition can wipe out an entire crop of finicky wasabi.

What is the toughest plant in the world?

Welwitschia mirabilis: The world's toughest plant.

How much does a wasabi plant yield?

Each mother plant can produce up to 20 plantlets depending on the cultivar. When wasabi plants are harvested for market, plantlets are cut from the plant and immediately replanted.

Is wasabi an invasive plant?

Does it spread? No. Not like horseradish or mint or strawberries. Wasabi propagates via offshoots that grow from the base of the plant.

How deep do wasabi roots grow?

The wasabi rhizome grows underground and can look much like a swollen taproot that protrudes above the ground when fully formed and ready to harvest. Rhizomes range in width from 1-2” and reach a depth of up to 18”. They sprout several long leaf stems that can reach up to 24” in height.

How much does a wasabi root cost?

The answer varies based on where you live: from a small fortune if you live in the United States or Europe ( $396/kg ) ( $11.25/oz ), to slightly more reasonable prices if you live in Japan ( $125.20/kg – $252.22/kg ) ( $3.55/oz – $7.15/oz ).

Can you eat wasabi leaves?

Talking about real wasabi might leave you thinking that the only useful part of the plant is the stem, but if you have a plant, then you should use all of it, including the leaves. These can be eaten pickled (in a dish called "wasabi zuke") or cooked and added to any meal for a little kick, or they can be eaten raw.

How long does wasabi plant last?

The rhizomes keep fresh for at least three weeks in the refrigerator. The quality is nearly completely unaffected if stored correctly. Rhizomes stored properly can be used for two months or more.

What kind of soil does wasabi like?

Wasabi requires a neutral or slightly acidic soil pH of 6-7. Plant your start only deep enough to keep it upright. Being sure that all of the roots are covered, backfill the hole and gently press into place. Do not cover the rhizome, it needs to be exposed above the surface.

Is Wasabi a cash crop?

Reviewed by Jeanine Davis, NC Alternative Crops & Organics Program, Department of Horticultural Science, NC State University on 10/9/2022. Wasabi is a high-value specialty crop with consistently high demand in the Japanese catering and food industry.

How much is wasabi root per pound?

Fresh wasabi fetches more than $100 a pound in Japan and $45 a pound in North America.